Two foreign journalists, including an Indian national, working for French news agency AFP who were arrested by the Maldivian police for violating immigration rules, have been ordered to leave the island nation facing political turmoil.
Would it serve India's interest to go to war with China over the Maldives, asks Aditi Phadnis.
India issued an advisory to its nationals on Monday, asking them not to undertake non-essential travel to the island nation.
Maldives health minister resigns, appeals for support from international community.
'I am also concerned over Chinese ambitions in the Maldives and wider Indian Ocean,' former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed tells Rediff.com contributor Rajeev Sharma in an exclusive interview.
In this exclusive conversation with Rediff.com contributor Rajeev Sharma, exiled opposition leader Ahmed Naseem explains why the world should care about democracy in Maldives.
'Given China's past behaviour and their territorial claims, should we be sceptical regarding China's willingness to adhere to these agreements fully? The answer is yes.' 'As Ronald Reagan famously said in the context of the SALT talks, 'Trust, but verify!' India should also do the same.' 'This has already begun with foot patrolling, drones, satellite imagery and so on. India's military deployment did mirror China's and will continue to do so in the future.'
The White House said the two leaders also pledged to continue working together to enhance security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
After two tumultuous sittings marred by protests by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, Maldives' parliament commenced its first session of the year on Monday, indicating that the new government may finally be getting on with work.
India's silence on this week's troubles in the Maldives is puzzling, says Rajeev Sharma.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Maldives on March 15 is under shadow because of troubled situation in the island nation after the arrest of former President Mohamed Nasheed earlier this week.
Poor finishing and scrappy defending put paid to India's quest for an eighth South Asian Football Federation Cup title as it suffered a 1-2 defeat against Maldives in the summit clash, in Dhaka, on Saturday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry said international community should respect sovereignty and independence of the Maldives.
'Now is the time for India, our biggest neighbour and oldest friend, to bring the full array of international policy instruments to bear.'
Promising to respect democracy, the new Maldives President Mohammed Waheed has told the United States that he intends to form a national unity government which would include participation of opposition parties.
It is time the political leaderships in this country arrived at a common ground over issues of foreign and security policy concerns. There has to be a greater communication between the government and the Opposition leaderships for the nation to present a unified face against the rest of the world, advises N Sathiya Moorthy.
The Maldives government on Tuesday defended the arrest of former president Mohamed Nasheed.
Along with Modi, senior BJP leaders including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, all ministers in Modi 2.0 Cabinet, took oath as cabinet ministers at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. In all, 71 ministers were sworn-in along with Modi, taking the strength of the Union council to 72.
There is a view that heavyweight portfolios like home, finance, defence and external affairs besides education and culture, two ministries with strong ideological hues, will be kept by the BJP, while its allies can get anywhere between five to eight cabinet berths.
Amidst opposition supporters picketing Parliament and violence on the streets, Maldives President Mohammed Waheed on Monday gave his maiden Presidential address saying he was open for early elections.
Britain has granted refugee status to Mohamed Nasheed, the former president of the Maldives who was jailed in 2015 after a trial that drew international criticism.
External intervention to help Mohammed Nasheed overcome the mutineers would have been inadvisable, and therefore forced him to step down as president, says strategic expert B Raman.
Nasheed, whose Maldivian Democratic Party functions from Colombo, appealed for India's help.
'In Eastern Ladakh the Chinese attempted salami slicing.' 'Our response has been superb. Our military has responded magnificently.'
A coup has reportedly been launched in The Maldives by the opposition and rogue elements of the police. According to reports, opposition demonstrators have taken over the state broadcaster. There are also unconfirmed reports of the coup having the army's support.President Mohammed Nasheed has reportedly resigned and he may be replaced by Vice-President Mohammed Waheed Hassan. Television channels are reporting that a flash election can be expected.
A round-up of the violence and political wrangling that now threatens the democratic framework of Maldives
Maldivian Vice President Ahmed Adeeb was on Thursday impeached by the Parliament overwhelmingly over an alleged attempt to assassinate President Abdulla Yameen and faces terrorism charges as lawmakers approved state of emergency in the island that has sparked concerns globally.
President Murmu reached the new Parliament building in a six-horse buggy accompanied by the Presidential Bodyguards riding horses.
India on Thursday described as 'matter of serious concern' reports that said some members of the Indian community in Canadian province of British Columbia received 'extortion calls'.
Former President Mohammed Nasheed emerged as a clear leader on Sunday in the first round of Maldives presidential election, receiving 45 per cent votes, but fell short of an outright majority, resulting in a run-off between the top two candidates scheduled for later in September.
'There is no shortage of material for the Opposition to develop and deploy a campaign against the government.' 'Are we seeing signs that it exists? I confess that I do not see it,' says Aakar Patel.
Vijay Deverakonda is all set to start shooting for his new film, and he has the gorgeous Sreeleela for company!
Lankan Speaker told the party leaders that Parliament will meet on July 20 to elect a new president.
All the ministers who participated in this meeting were of the opinion that as soon as there is an agreement to form an all-party government, they will hand over the responsibilities to that government, it said.
Malik also alleged that Rajput's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty was implicated in a 'fake case' by the NCB.
Last year, China held a meeting with some South Asian countries on COVID-19 vaccine cooperation without the participation of India.
Ranil Wickremesinghe was on Wednesday elected as Sri Lanka's new President by Parliament, in a rare move that could provide continuity for ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout for the cash-strapped nation but a development likely to anger anti-government protesters who have been demanding his resignation from office for weeks.
Shraddha Kapoor, who will next be seen opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Luv Rajan's next directorial venture, celebrates her 35th birthday on March 3.
Tara Sutaria, who made her Bollywood debut in 2019 with Student of the Year 2, celebrates her 26th birthday on November 19.
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